What Is Network Security
What Is Network Security
Network security encompasses all the steps taken to protect the integrity of a
computer network and the data within it. Network security is important because it
keeps sensitive data safe from cyber attacks and ensures the network is usable and
trustworthy. Successful network security strategies employ multiple security solutions
to protect users and organizations from malware and cyber attacks, like distributed
denial of service.
The following are four of the most important reasons why protecting networks and the
data they hold is important:
Cloud security. Cloud providers often sell add-on cloud security tools that
provide security capabilities in their cloud. The cloud provider manages the
security of its overall infrastructure and offers tools for the user to protect their
instances within the overall cloud infrastructure. For example, Amazon Web
Services provides security groups that control the incoming and outgoing traffic
associated with an application or resource.
Data loss prevention (DLP). These tools monitor data in use, in motion and at
rest to detect and prevent data breaches. DLP often classifies the most important
and at-risk data and trains employees in best practices to protect that data. For
instance, not sending important files as attachments in emails is one such best
practice.
Mobile device security. Business applications for smartphones and other mobile
devices have made these devices an important part of network security.
Monitoring and controlling which mobile devices access a network and what they
do once connected to a network is crucial for modern network security.
Sandboxing. This approach lets organizations scan for malware by opening a file
in an isolated environment before granting it access to the network. Once opened
in a sandbox, an organization can observe whether the file acts in a malicious way
or shows any indications of malware.